Civil Union Amendment Bill Published for Comment

A draft bill designed to amend the Civil Union Act has been published for comment.

The Draft Civil Union Amendment Bill was published in Government Gazette 41475 for comment.

The private member’s bill, drawn up by Ms D Carter of COPE, seeks to repeal section 6 of the act.

The section allows a marriage officer to inform the home affairs minister that he or she objects on the ground of conscience, religion, and belief to solemnising a civil union between persons of the same sex.

Ms D Carter holds the view that section 6 limits the rights of same-sex partners to enter into a civil union. The limitation cannot be justified in an open and democratic society.